Applepaw's Warrior Ceremony

Despite StarClan bringing their wrath down upon the Clans, New-Leaf seemed to be treating RiverClan fairly well in all other respects. Poppybloom had recently joined Nightwolf and her father in the warrior's den, and now it was Applepaw's turn to do the same. She knew that Addershade would be proud- an entire litter of kits, successfully making their way to warriorhood. Unfortunately, it didn't happen as often as the tabby she-cat would like. "All cats old enough to catch their own fish, gather beneath the Willow Branch for a Clan meeting!" She yowled, watching her Clanmates assemble around her.

Applepaw had been watching a few warrior ceremonies recently, but today had to be his own. His siblings were warriors, and his younger brother Snowpaw wouldn’t be a warrior, not yet. There were some other apprentices, but he could feel it in the way Ivystar spoke that this was his. He sat down, looking at the leader, ready for whatever would come next.

Poppybloom had received her name not long ago, and she was excited by the thought of her other brother joining her in the warrior's den. Applepaw deserved his name, as much as she and Nightwolf had deserved theirs. She settled herself a little bit behind Applepaw, wanting to be in the front so she could be the first to greet him with his new name.

With Applepaw at the front of the crowd, Ivystar began the ceremony. "We have gathered here today to witness the becoming of yet another warrior." Waving her tail lightly in the young apprentice's direction, the she-cat continued. "Addershade has confirmed that young Applepaw has completed his training, and is ready to join his brother and sister in the warrior den. Applepaw, if you believe this to be true, please step forward and your ceremony will commence."

Applepaw glanced at his sister before looking forwards again and stepping forwards proudly. His steady green gaze looked onwards at Ivystar, ready for his ceremony to continue. He would finally be a warrior!

Nodding her head, the ceremony continued. "Then I, Ivystar, leader of Riverclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in her turn. Applepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?" Emerald green eyes met those of Applepaw, awaiting his answer patiently.

Applepaw held his excited gaze as Ivystar continued her words. With a grin and a quick nod, Applepaw knew the answer. He ways had, ever since he had watched the first warrior ceremony he was alive for. ”I do.” mewed the ginger tom loudly.

"Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. From this day forth, you will be known to all as Applefang. RiverClan honors your loyalty and bravery. Tonight, as tradition demands, you will hold a silent vigil while the rest of the clan sleep. Until then, however, we celebrate the rise of a new RiverClan warrior." Leaping down from the branch, Ivystar rested her head on the tom's head for a moment before stepping aside to let the Clan celebrate Applefang's rise to warriorhood.

Applefang’s grin spread even wider as his new name was announced. The warrior turned back too his friends, and his family, letting the chants of his name cascade his ears. He was proud of himself, and was excited to finally be a warrior like his siblings.

Nightwolf watched at his brother became Applefang. He ran towards Applefang and tackled him. "Applefang! Thats such a cool name!" Said Nightwolf, sitting up, his amber eyes twinkling.

Poppybloom joined her two brothers, purring as she pressed her cheek affectionately against the newly named Applefang's. "Congratulations, Applefang." she put extra emphasis on his new name, liking the way it sounded as she spoke it.

Addershade approached his three children. Nightwolf. Poppybloom. Applefang.

This was finally it-- the whole litter had made it to warriorhood. And with Applepaw-- Applefang-- it was especially significant. After a string of failures...Addershade had finally seen an apprentice through to warriorhood. The fact that that apprentice was his own son...Addershade didn't really believe that there were things that were "meant to be", so to speak-- but, well. Maybe this was an exception.

"Applefang," he said, addressing the new warrior. "I'm very proud of you. I was so happy to get to be your mentor-- you trained so well, and I know you'll be a great warrior. Congratulations,"

He smiled at Poppybloom and Nightwolf, too. "The three of you-- I couldn't be prouder. Really."

Applefang smiledas his siblings approached. Soon his father joined the growing crowd. The new warrior’s grin stretched his entire face as his father talked. ”Thanks.” he mewed. ”Thanks to all of you!” he turned to his family. Three warriors, and hopefully another younger sibling would join them too. Their family was thriving.